Cheap flights to Libya

Distinct from the rest of Africa owing to its expansive desert terrain over the Sahara, Libya hails its significance constituting as the ancient nation of Tripolitania. The country holds entire cities from Greek as well as Roman Rule; the ruins from the Greek Colony of Cyrene and the ruins of Ptolimais, the Roman city of Leptis Magna, Sabratha and the arch of Marcus Aurelius, with most of them acknowledged within UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Then come the indigenous rule and fortifications marking the empires, with Tripoli’s Red Castle Museum overlooking the older city and the Stone Murzuq Castle much towards the desert countryside. Cultural heritage rests among the neighbourhood and streets of the old quarters, as well as the hospitality centres of the souks and bazaars for supplying merchandise and culinary services. Tripoli, being the walled city, even has architecture from its revolutionary period, the main being the Martyr’s Square. Islamic heritage rests mainly among the mosques, like the Burtasiyat Madressah religious school, and the great Gurgi mosque. The great Sahara desert gives shape to most of the natural beauty of the country, with seasonal lakes and oasis being a subtle refuge exhibiting the simplicity as well as luxury of desert life, the culture of the tribal villages. Jufra, Kufra, Wadi Elhayat are the main established settlements along water bodies, while the desert town of Ghadames has been regarded as one of the finest examples preserving musical heritage as well as architecture in the form of most of its chalk-white buildings. The Akakus desert also has camping and trail companies for conducting desert safaris in the area. With an extensive coastline along the Mediterranean, destinations like Tobruk, Zuwarah, Darnah, Tajura and Ra’s Lanuf have attracted significant attention in terms of commercial development by being port cities and towns, while also being popular in seafood culinary culture. Towards the south, regarded as a natural wonder is the Waw An Namus volcanic field. In complete opposite contrast, along the outskirts of Benghazi in central north lie Jebel Akhdar, considered the chief ‘green area’ across Libya.

Overall, the international flight connectivity in the country is thin. The main two international airports operating in the country are in Tripoli; Tripoli international airport barely catering about a hundred flights each week, domestic as well as international, while Mitiga Airport catering for about 40 flights. Benghazi is also operational with about 7 international flights every week. Another Libyan destination accessible internationally is Tobruk, while smaller domestic airports with non-regular services are in Sirte, Ghadame, Sabra and Misrata. 

Egypt Air, Air Malta and British Airways are currently operating cheap flights to Libya from UK this season. Lufthansa, Air Afriqia, Turkish Airlines are also in competition for the route. During the low season, airfares range between £800 to even £ 1100, which then jumps between £1000 and £1500 on average during bookings for the high season.

Currently there are no airlines operating direct flights to Libya.

Most of the flights take 12 to 13 hours of flight time for reaching Libya from London. On average, every flight has two stopovers or even more, with each of them stretching to 2 hours or even more for stopover time.

The main means backing travel across the country are the motorways connecting among the cities, with bus companies operating the routes for public transport travel. Among the towns and cities, the culture of minibuses and shared taxis is rampant. Formal tours through the deserts, along the coasts as well as the countryside used to be routine prior to the countrywide instability, with multiple tour companies facilitating campervans and SUVs up for hire for all-terrain safaris; some of them are still present today. Certain port towns and cities have dedicated ferry services for their tourists. As long as the rail network is concerned, there is no proper establishment so far of the rail lines across the country.

Apart from the main urban cities of the country, the general hospitality industry tends to be plain and simple. Older towns and cities have guesthouse quarters serving locals and foreigners alike with traditional bedrooms and common living areas for eating and interacting. They also tend to be a prefentially interesting choice, as some of them are renovated from old buildings, or are surrounded in the locality of older neighbourhoods and landmarks. The few international hotel chains which are present are designed with splendour, facilitating high-rise suites to get a real view of the cityscape, while being multiple times pricy on the tag.  Certain apartment buildings have been renovated to become budget hotels and hostels, and despite being the standard rooms, there is always a hint of the Arab style and influence of hospitality. 

• A meal at an international fast food chain: £ 4
• A large bottle of mineral water: £ 0.32
• An imported pack of cigarettes: £2
• A regular soft drink bottle: £ 0.33
• A local commutation ticket: £ 0.25
• An average taxi trip within the city: £ 10.5
• A standard hotel in the city: £ 50